Revved-up 'Enforcer' returns for crack at breaking drought

HONORARY Ipswichian Russell Ingall returns to Queensland Raceway for the 15th time of his career at the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 this weekend.

"The Enforcer" is one of only four current drivers to have competed at every V8 Supercar event at the "Paperclip" since 1999, alongside competitors Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander and Jason Bright.

Ingall has conquered the circuit three times, winning the first V8 Supercar race at Queensland Raceway with the Castrol Perkins Racing team in 1999. However, the accomplished driver hasn't re-joined the Ipswich winners' club in 11 years.

After linking with the small Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport stable this year to help develop the team, the 50-year-old is hoping he can draw upon his past success at Queensland Raceway to break his winner's drought at the circuit.

Ingall also hopes to secure the Holden outfit its first win since its inception in 2010.

"You are always a little more confident heading into a race where you have done plenty of laps at that circuit before," he said.

"I've done a lot of miles at Queensland Raceway, it's my home track and I've had a lot of success there over the years too.

"We're in a pretty good position at LDM at the moment and I think this weekend is our best opportunity to jump on the top step of the podium."

Alongside his on-track duties, Ingall is a passionate advocate for road safety. "It is so important for road users to adhere to the road rules," he said.

"There are so many distractions to drivers these days. People need to realise that when they get behind the wheel of a car, they are in charge of a weapon.

"By getting people into safe driving habits is the first step to bringing our nation's road toll down."

Ingall said that as a father, it is important to keep his children safe on the roads, installing good road habits into his daughters from an early age.

The proud father of two will be joined by his daughters Jaz, 10, and Sasha, 12, this weekend. They will be taking advantage of the Disney Fun Zone on offer at Queensland Raceway.

Drivers will also be at Autobarn Ipswich on Thursday from 5.30-6.30pm.

Great experience

The best way to catch all the action of Russell Ingall's 15th assault on the Paperclip is through the Platnium Grandstand ticketing option. Get up close and personal with "The Enforcer" and the #23 entry with the ticket's paddock access and pit lane walk experience. Tickets are on sale via ticketek.com.au.